1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 180
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
 1-4     recognize the 50th anniversary of Gem Jewelry Company, owned by
 1-5     Bea Mann and founded by this outstanding woman and her late husband,
 1-6     Frank Mann, in Austin, Texas; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, The opening date for Gem Jewelry was
 1-8     January 2, 1951; at that time, the store was nine feet wide
 1-9     and 22 feet long; 50 years later, the store has gotten larger,
1-10     but it has never left Congress Avenue; and
1-11           WHEREAS, The store's unwavering dedication to providing
1-12     warm customer service is one of the reasons for its continued
1-13     success; through the years, Bea Mann has befriended governors,
1-14     lieutenant governors, secretaries of state, judges, and
1-15     legislators; and
1-16           WHEREAS, A great believer in fair pricing, Bea Mann has never
1-17     had a sale because her prices have always been good; she feels
1-18     that her customers are her friends, many of whom she has known
1-19     for years; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Bea Mann has dedicated one-third of her store
1-21     to gift items related to the Capitol and Texas; under a counter
1-22     she keeps pre-wrapped items for constituent and last-minute staff
1-23     gifts; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, The only advertising she uses is word-of-mouth,
 2-2     and still she does an excellent business; the fans of Gem Jewelry
 2-3     Company are legion; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, A first generation Texan, Mrs. Mann is thankful
 2-5     for the experiences she has had and the people she has met while
 2-6     working in her store; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, The popular Gem Jewelry has been a testimonial
 2-8     to tradition and a tribute to its owner, who has been committed
 2-9     to pleasing her customers and to managing her business with
2-10     dedication and integrity; now, therefore, be it
2-11           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-12     77th Legislature, hereby commend Bea Mann for her contributions
2-13     to the Austin community and extend best wishes to her on the
2-14     50th anniversary of her company; and, be it further
2-15           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
2-16     her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
2-17                                                              Barrientos
2-18                                                              Lucio     
2-19                                  ______________________________________
2-20                                          President of the Senate
2-21                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-22                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-23                                  on February 5, 2001.
2-24                                  ______________________________________
2-25                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-26                                  ______________________________________
2-27                                           Member, Texas Senate
2-28                                  ______________________________________
2-29                                           Member, Texas Senate